Date:         Thu, 20 Jul 2000 18:38:37 -0400
Reply-To:     k1cajun@pipeline.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave L <k1cajun@pipeline.com>
Subject:      Re: '90 westy water tank key
Comments: To: Michael Korsak <mdk166@psu.edu>

>Hey Everyone,
>where can i find a replacement water tank key for my '90 westy?
>the bus depot cannot sell them individually w/o selling the whole
>water inlet thingy.  thanks in advance.

When looked at my 89 before the purchase, the PO had the key and
I checked to see it worked.  When I came back to strike a deal and
drive it home, I forgot to ask for the key.  When I remembered two
days later, she had lost it.  So I filled my tank the first time from
the inside.

But I later made my own key.  I took the metal wire handle out of a
medium binder clip.  The ends that used to stick into the black clip
have a bend to it that makes a good lock picker for the very simple
lock that the later Vanagon Westies have.  If you work in an office,
you've probably seen these binder clips.  You can get them at any
office supply store, the medium size is right.

Or just straighten a wire coathanger and then with pliers, bend about 3/16 of an inch at a right angle.

You just stick the right angled wire into the lock and turn it.  You don't need to be 007 to pick it.  Hey, how come Bond never drove a
Westfalia?  Now there's someone who really could have used a bed on
wheels!